Answer: coopting

AnswerCrossword Clue
cooptingto appropriate as one's own; preempt
cooptingCOOPT, to appoint (to assign to a job)
cooptingto elect into a body by the votes of the existing members
cooptingto choose as a fellow member
cooptingto assimilate, take, or win over into a larger or established group
cooptingto win over into a larger group